Set # 21 - Top Ten #1 hits of the 60's, part 1:

Top Ten #1 hits of the 60's.  Ten songs that averaged the longest #1 lengths on the pop charts, using the Billboard US national rankings (regional differences aside).  They are presented in the order of 10 to 1.  Not really "lost oldies" you say, but look at # 9 (2nd place rank) - when is the last time you heard "Theme From A Summer Place" by Percy Faith on Oldies radio - it scored 9 weeks at #1, the same length of time at #1 for "Hey Jude."  Funny how perceptions (and marketing to alter those perceptions) change over the years.  "Theme From A Summer Place" really probably reflects the change from the old guard of the 50's generation to the 60's radical shifts represented by the Beatles, especially "Hey Jude" which violated other 'rules' of the game for a radio single's song length, etc. You can probably argue about the #10 song compared to the songs ranked 11-20, all of which also spent 5 weeks at #1, but we went with the Billboard ranking that uses some other factors (which we didn't bother to look up) to arrive at the order. You will probably never hear this lineup this way on radio today because of all of the market research and testing going on to try to keep your attention for the next commercials there. So here they are in order, which in itself provides an intersting jagged tour through radical shifts in both generation and genre - enjoy!

Note: Many songs are also available on various original cds and compilations.  To see additional options and for buy links, click on the artist name link for our artist page.

1.  Elvis Presley  -  It's Now Or Never  (#1 for 5 weeks, July-August, 1960) -  30 #1 Hits

2.  Zager & Evans  -  In The Year 2525  (#1 for 6 weeks, June-July, 1969)  -  Best of 60's Rock (compilation)

3.  Elvis Presley  -  Are You Lonesome To-night?  (#1 for 6 weeks, November-December, 1960)  -  30 #1 Hits

4.  The 5th Dimension -  Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In  (#1 for 6 weeks, March-April, 1969) -  The Very Best of the 5th Dimension 

5.  Marvin Gaye  -  I Heard It Through The Grapevine (#1 for 7 weeks, November-December, 1968) -  Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye

6.  The Monkees  -  I'm A Believer  (#1 for 7 weeks, November-December, 1966)  -  The Monkees Greatest Hits

7. The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand  (#1 for 7 weeks, January-February, 1964) - The Beatles: 1962-1966

8.  Bobby Lewis  -  Tossin' & Turnin'  (#1 for 7 weeks, May-June, 1961)  -  Only Rock n' Roll, Pop Hits 1960 - 1964

9.  Percy Faith  -  Theme From A Summer Place  (#1 for 9 weeks, January-March, 1960) -  Chart Toppers (Romantic Hits of the 60's)

10.  The Beatles  -  Hey Jude  (#1 for 9 weeks, September-November, 1968) -  Beatles: 1967-1970

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